[Rumour] Barclays Center Is Dumping the Islanders

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

The problem for many years has been that there were enough hockey fans (and luxury box tenants) to support two teams in New York… but the league had three.

There are plenty of hockey fans to support the Islanders...as the island is not just an extension of NYC, it's kind of it's own thing with its own sense of place that people are really proud of. They also have some of the most loyal, deep-rooted, fans I've personally met in the US.

The problem is the Islanders have been going the extra mile for decades to prevent people from watching them. They are like an abusive, neglectful parent of kids who really want to love them. But get those fans into a stable home and give them an even average team, and all is well.

I think there are plenty of fans to support all 3 area teams, as they each serve a different audience...but if there was one to go I think it would be the Devils. A lot of hockey fans in Jersey are either Rangers or Flyers fans (kind of like Gaudreau), teams with deep-rooted history that I think could support the area. Luckily for the Devils though, they've had excellent management over the years, and play in a really nice arena that is easily accessible to their fans.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by Table 5

There are plenty of hockey fans to support the Islanders...as the island is not just an extension of NYC, it's kind of it's own thing with its own sense of place that people are really proud of. They also have some of the most loyal, deep-rooted, fans I've personally met in the US.

The problem is the Islanders have been going the extra mile for decades to prevent people from watching them. They are like an abusive, neglectful parent of kids who really want to love them. But get those fans into a stable home and give them an even average team, and all is well.

I think there are plenty of fans to support all 3 area teams, as they each serve a different audience...but if there was one to go I think it would be the Devils. A lot of hockey fans in Jersey are either Rangers or Flyers fans (kind of like Gaudreau), teams with deep-rooted history that I think could support the area. Luckily for the Devils though, they've had excellent management over the years, and play in a really nice arena that is easily accessible to their fans.

This is a great post.

Basically, if the Devils were run like the Islanders have been since 1995 or so (basically from the moment they introduced those fishstick uniforms) they would be long gone into another market.

[sureLoss]

Hartford Islanders?

Conneticuit's governor has invited the Islanders to move to Hartford:

http://www.wfsb.com/story/34421877/c...autostart=true

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Hartford Islanders?

Conneticuit's governor has invited the Islanders to move to Hartford:

http://www.wfsb.com/story/34421877/c...autostart=true

It would be cool to see the Whalers back in the league but unless they have a new arena the old Civic Center didn't even seat 15k. Pretty enticing though when you consider it's a high income city and the governor is telling you they are willing to fork over arena renovation money.

[jayswin]

It's too bad The Hurricanes to Quebec is a done deal because it would be cool to move them right back to the city they came from. The Whalers logo and jerseys are top shelf, and if they screw around too much with them they'd be immediate top ten in the current NHL.

[Flashpoint]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...tford-whalers/

Nate Silver's 538.com with a similar article.

One of the best logos ever IMO.

[Par]

Originally Posted by jayswin

It's too bad The Hurricanes to Quebec is a done deal because it would be cool to move them right back to the city they came from. The Whalers logo and jerseys are top shelf, and if they screw around too much with them they'd be immediate top ten in the current NHL.

When has the Hurricanes to Quebec became a done deal?

[The Original FFIV]

IMHO Hartford would be a great option but others think differently


David Pagnotta‏ @TheFourthPeriod

In response to NYI/Hartford, League source said: "I don't anticipate the Islanders' franchise moving out of the New York Metropolitan area"

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Par

When has the Hurricanes to Quebec became a done deal?

Not an officially done deal, but it's happening.

[ricosuave]

maybe the Isles can move into the Gila River Arena

[Beatle17]

I have read that the Islanders are guaranteed $50M per year from the Barclays Center plus the local TV contract of $25M per year from MSG Network. If these two numbers are correct I am sure that with other revenues that they team makes enough money.

Maybe the issue is that Barclays Center is being asked to do renovations to make hockey easier to sell in the arena and that is what is causing them to balk at keeping the team in the building.

Here is the article that I read guessing at the money from Barclays: http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/ar...arclays-center

It will be interesting to see the outcome of this.

[Resolute 14]

The issue is that the Barclays Center doesn't generate enough revenue from Islanders games to make that $50 million guaranteed payment worth their while.

[Strange Brew]

Can we bring back the Scouts and Golden Seals too?

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Can we bring back the Scouts and Golden Seals too?

Technically the Golden Seals are back, they just play 40 miles south under a different name.

Also, if the Hurricanes to Quebec rumours are true I wouldn't be surprised if KC is a proposed location to move the Coyotes.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

IMHO Hartford would be a great option but others think differently


David Pagnotta‏ @TheFourthPeriod

In response to NYI/Hartford, League source said: "I don't anticipate the Islanders' franchise moving out of the New York Metropolitan area"

That's not necessarily a conflict.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by nik-

That's not necessarily a conflict.

Actually, it is. Hartford is further away from New York than Philadelphia is. The city has its own economic base and its own characteristic culture, and (what matters most in this case) its own cable sports channel. Part of the problem the Devils and Islanders face is that they are competing for scraps of airtime on MSG Network, which naturally treats them as an afterthought to the Rangers.

A move to Hartford would solve this – but it would also leave three generations of diehard Islander fans behind. Nobody is going to travel from Long Island into New York and back out to Hartford – four hours or so each way, depending on traffic and mode of transportation – 41 times a year to keep their season tickets. So I can see why the club would rather move heaven and earth to find a permanent home on Long Island.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Actually, it is. Hartford is further away from New York than Philadelphia is. The city has its own economic base and its own characteristic culture, and (what matters most in this case) its own cable sports channel. Part of the problem the Devils and Islanders face is that they are competing for scraps of airtime on MSG Network, which naturally treats them as an afterthought to the Rangers.

A move to Hartford would solve this – but it would also leave three generations of diehard Islander fans behind. Nobody is going to travel from Long Island into New York and back out to Hartford – four hours or so each way, depending on traffic and mode of transportation – 41 times a year to keep their season tickets. So I can see why the club would rather move heaven and earth to find a permanent home on Long Island.

The New York metro area rides the border of the Hartford Metro. Which is pretty close to in line with the statement.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Technically the Golden Seals are back, they just play 40 miles south under a different name.

Also, if the Hurricanes to Quebec rumours are true I wouldn't be surprised if KC is a proposed location to move the Coyotes.

How so? Sharks were an expansion franchise and no connection. Or I guess you mean they play in same general geographic area?

Nordiques, Whalers and Golden Seals are three of my favorite logos and uniforms in all of sports. I am sure it's because they are not around anymore but would love to see each of them back.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

How so? Sharks were an expansion franchise and no connection. Or I guess you mean they play in same general geographic area?

Nordiques, Whalers and Golden Seals are three of my favorite logos and uniforms in all of sports. I am sure it's because they are not around anymore but would love to see each of them back.

The Sharks play in the same geographical area AND have a historical connection to the Golden Seals. Follow along below, it is very confusing and convoluted:

1. In 1976, Seals owners George and Gordon Gund move the franchise to Cleveland becoming the Barons.

2. Things do not go well in Cleveland and in 1978 the Gunds are permitted to merge the Barons with the also struggling Minnesota North Stars. This resulted in the Gunds owning the North Stars while the Barons folded.

3. In the late 80s the Gunds attempt to move the North Stars to the Bay Area while at the same time another ownership group is pushing the NHL to give San Jose an expansion team to play in their new arena.

4. A compromise is met where the Gunds will get the San Jose expansion team and the other owners get the North Stars, with the Sharks having rights to North Stars players and both teams participating in the 1991 expansion draft.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Califo..._Seals#History

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_N...pansion_Drafts

[Strange Brew]

Are they considered the same franchise? Would the franchise records belong to the Stars or the Sharks?

I noticed the Sharks recognized some former Seal players recently but they came out in Sharks attire. Would have been cool to see the Seals attire but maybe they don't have the rights anymore. Or maybe the rights are meaningless and or belong to the NHL.

Not unusual to see some Nordiques or Whalers gear but would love to see more Seal gear.